A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens copyright 1843
For the past 15 years, on Christmas Day we listen to an audio presentation of A Christmas Carol while traveling to Grandma's for dinner. It has become a favorite part of my celebration. Last year, I finally broke down and bought an illustrated copy of the book for my library. It is lovely! The story itself charms and delights everyone in the family.
My favorite part of the story is when the ghost of Christmas Present and Scrooge visit the poor family of Bob Cratchit. The whole scene is one of glorious happiness and joy despite what some might describe as being poor. The family loves one another and the time of ease the day affords. My favorite quote from this scene:
"There was nothing of high mark in this. They were not a handsome family; their shoes were far from being water-proof; their clothes were scanty; and Peter might have known, and very likely did, the inside of a pawnbroker's. But they were happy, grateful, pleased with one another, and contented with the time . . ." That is what I wish Christmas Day would be like for everyone.
Showing posts with label British literature. Show all posts
Showing posts with label British literature. Show all posts
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Friday, September 19, 2008
Persuasion
Persuasion by Jane Austen copyright 1818 (published posthumously)
Let's get one thing straight at the get-go-- I love Jane Austen's novels. (The exception being Mansfield Park which I think has some of the lamest main characters ever!) Now, I'm sure that I'll do a post on each of her novels eventually, but since Persuasion is my favorite, it gets first billing.
Persuasion was written in a race against failing health in 1815-16. Although Ms. Austen's wit and social satire is as sparkling as ever, her hero and heroine have an extra depth when compared to her other novels. This may be due to their both being older than her previous subjects. Anne Elliot and Capt. Fredrick Wentworth are 27 and 31 at the outset of the book. The beginnings of their connection happens much earlier in their lives (19 and 23), but are separated by the conventions of the day-- no money, his lack of family connections, etc. (As a modern American, sometimes these upper-class, British social rules can seem so annoying.) They break off the engagement, but Anne pines away her days knowing that her one true love has passed her by. Don't think she is an insipid character. She isn't. Anne is well-educated, extremely observant and naturally a peacemaker. Her father and sister are selfish idiots only concerned with appearance- physical and social. They really underestimate and under esteem Anne. In the first chapter, one is struck by Anne's "aloneness." She does have a good friend in a neighbor, Lady Russell, but this friend fulfills a mothering role as Anne's mother died many years previous. One can well understand her loss of losing Capt. Wentworth as not only a husband, but a true friend.
To make a long, twisted story short. . . As fate would have it, Anne and Wentworth are thrown together again, but he has vowed to love anyone, but her. Months pass with them continually in the same social circle; he pursuing (well, sort of) other women; she feeling the loss and struggling to not be overcome by her feelings. As Austen would have it, there must be a time when Wentworth realizes he still loves Anne, but because of his foolish behavior, he may not be able to get her back. (Did you know that Austen's plot line in Pride and Prejudice of Darcy and Elizabeth's relationship was the invention of this particular invention in popular fiction? Notice it in almost every romantic movie or book you read. Again, proof that Austen is amazing.)
The story continues through twists and turns and finally ends with satisfaction. The scene where they finally are able to come to understand one another's feelings is a classic for the ages. I'd type it all out here for you, but you really need to read the entire book to properly feel the weight of the matter. Wentworth's letter--love it! However, a most insightful addition to their reuniting is after they've come to an understanding and are at the Elliot's evening party, while jointly admiring some "fine greenery" Wentworth comes to this realization.
"But I too have been thinking over the past, and a question has suggested itself, whether there may not have been one person more my enemy even that that lady? [referring to Lady Russell's original interference in the match] My own self. Tell me if, when I returned to England in the year eight with a few thousand pounds, and was posted into the Laconia, if I had then written to you, would you have answered my letter? would you, in short, have renewed the engagement then?"
"Would I!" was all her answer; but the accent was decisive enough.
"You would! It is not that I did not think of it, or desire it, as what could alone crown all my other success. But I was proud, too proud to ask again. I did not understand you. I shut my eyes, and would not understand you, or do you justice. This is a recollection which ought to make me forgive every one sooner than myself."
Ah, once again pride can make or break a person.
FYI: The BBC has done some great movie adaptations of this novel. One was produced in 1997(?) and the other was just this year. Both movies have their merits. The first one more strictly follows the book, which I really love, but the new film has its advantages, too. For one, there are scenes added that instead of being an explanatory note by Frederick to Anne after their reunion are included into the story when they actually would have taken place. --And I doubt they could have found a more handsome man to play Wentworth than Rupert Penry-Jones, even if his real name is awful.
Let's get one thing straight at the get-go-- I love Jane Austen's novels. (The exception being Mansfield Park which I think has some of the lamest main characters ever!) Now, I'm sure that I'll do a post on each of her novels eventually, but since Persuasion is my favorite, it gets first billing.
Persuasion was written in a race against failing health in 1815-16. Although Ms. Austen's wit and social satire is as sparkling as ever, her hero and heroine have an extra depth when compared to her other novels. This may be due to their both being older than her previous subjects. Anne Elliot and Capt. Fredrick Wentworth are 27 and 31 at the outset of the book. The beginnings of their connection happens much earlier in their lives (19 and 23), but are separated by the conventions of the day-- no money, his lack of family connections, etc. (As a modern American, sometimes these upper-class, British social rules can seem so annoying.) They break off the engagement, but Anne pines away her days knowing that her one true love has passed her by. Don't think she is an insipid character. She isn't. Anne is well-educated, extremely observant and naturally a peacemaker. Her father and sister are selfish idiots only concerned with appearance- physical and social. They really underestimate and under esteem Anne. In the first chapter, one is struck by Anne's "aloneness." She does have a good friend in a neighbor, Lady Russell, but this friend fulfills a mothering role as Anne's mother died many years previous. One can well understand her loss of losing Capt. Wentworth as not only a husband, but a true friend.
To make a long, twisted story short. . . As fate would have it, Anne and Wentworth are thrown together again, but he has vowed to love anyone, but her. Months pass with them continually in the same social circle; he pursuing (well, sort of) other women; she feeling the loss and struggling to not be overcome by her feelings. As Austen would have it, there must be a time when Wentworth realizes he still loves Anne, but because of his foolish behavior, he may not be able to get her back. (Did you know that Austen's plot line in Pride and Prejudice of Darcy and Elizabeth's relationship was the invention of this particular invention in popular fiction? Notice it in almost every romantic movie or book you read. Again, proof that Austen is amazing.)
The story continues through twists and turns and finally ends with satisfaction. The scene where they finally are able to come to understand one another's feelings is a classic for the ages. I'd type it all out here for you, but you really need to read the entire book to properly feel the weight of the matter. Wentworth's letter--love it! However, a most insightful addition to their reuniting is after they've come to an understanding and are at the Elliot's evening party, while jointly admiring some "fine greenery" Wentworth comes to this realization.
"But I too have been thinking over the past, and a question has suggested itself, whether there may not have been one person more my enemy even that that lady? [referring to Lady Russell's original interference in the match] My own self. Tell me if, when I returned to England in the year eight with a few thousand pounds, and was posted into the Laconia, if I had then written to you, would you have answered my letter? would you, in short, have renewed the engagement then?"
"Would I!" was all her answer; but the accent was decisive enough.
"You would! It is not that I did not think of it, or desire it, as what could alone crown all my other success. But I was proud, too proud to ask again. I did not understand you. I shut my eyes, and would not understand you, or do you justice. This is a recollection which ought to make me forgive every one sooner than myself."
Ah, once again pride can make or break a person.
FYI: The BBC has done some great movie adaptations of this novel. One was produced in 1997(?) and the other was just this year. Both movies have their merits. The first one more strictly follows the book, which I really love, but the new film has its advantages, too. For one, there are scenes added that instead of being an explanatory note by Frederick to Anne after their reunion are included into the story when they actually would have taken place. --And I doubt they could have found a more handsome man to play Wentworth than Rupert Penry-Jones, even if his real name is awful.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
North and South
North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell copyright 1855
First, let's clear up any confusion that this might be the civil war saga novel by John Jakes. It is NOT! This elegant piece of work is British through and through and written by a woman. Okay, now we can get down to business.
I just recently read (and reread, I might add) this book last month. I stumbled upon the BBC movie adaptation of the novel, loved it and knew that the book is ALWAYS better than the movie and so ventured forth. The result was so much fun! That isn't to say that the style is easy. I think it might be a bit daunting if you haven't read anything more difficult than Harry Potter recently, but so worth the effort.
The story is primarily concerned with a young woman, Margaret Hale and her "growing up", or becoming wiser is probably more accurate. She is portrayed as a beautiful young woman (of course, because only in Jane Eyre is the heroine plain) with an independent mind and womanly feelings of love and caring towards those who, in her opinion, deserve it. She is more stable a character than either of her parents although they are good people. She has infinitely more depth than her London friends, and is interested and concerned for the welfare of those below her in station.
In the beginning of the novel, she moves from the lush southern England countryside with her middle-class parents of limited income to a manufacturing town in the north. A much different mindset exists among the working class and those who have gained wealth and influence due to their success in business than the strict politeness and rigid class structure of the south and of London. It is in this setting that Margaret meets John Thornton, a wealthy youngish manufacturer, and their consequent antagonistic relationship and eventual regard develops.
The romance part of the novel resembles a similar structure as Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, with out the overwhelming wealth and with actual obstacles to resolution besides pride and misjudgment. Mrs. Gaskell includes chapters from John's point-of-view which greatly enhances the romance as Margaret tends to be less introspective (or at least acknowledging of her feelings) than John.
The other major subject within the story is the plight and struggle of the working class and the "masters". The characterization of Nicholas and Bessy Higgins are particularly good and endearing. The reasons for the strike that ensues are laid out by both sides, and how at least in Thornton's mills the future communications between the workers and the boss improve the situation. Margaret's friendship with Bessie provides an important means for the author to convey the difficulties of the working class, as well as gives Margaret someone to confide in so we can get more insight into her thoughts as well.
There is a fair amount of sadness that vexes Margaret's stay in Milton (the fictional northern town) that really influences the reader to want Margaret and John to be together in order that they might be happy and have someone to lean upon in the struggles and sad times. Mrs. Gaskell leaves us questioning whether or not that will happen until the very last pages. Really, when I started the last chapter, I was stressed out thinking that "here we are at the last chapter, and HOW are these two going to get together???". Gratefully, if not rather briskly, the author gives in to the longing (theirs and the reader's) and grants a happy ending.
I really enjoyed this book. I love a good romance, but the historical aspects of the novel made it all the better and more enjoyable. I enjoy strong, independently minded heroes and heroines, and Margaret Hale and John Thornton were just that. Given the time period in which it was written, it could even be said to have a few "feminist" aspects. Margaret was not your typical empty-minded female whose only thoughts were of how to catch a husband. She wants to better the world within her reach and to encourage others to do the same. Oh, but lets not forget to mention that she is stunningly beautiful, strong-willed, morally upright, AND inherits a fortune. Oh that we all had such advantages. :)
First, let's clear up any confusion that this might be the civil war saga novel by John Jakes. It is NOT! This elegant piece of work is British through and through and written by a woman. Okay, now we can get down to business.
I just recently read (and reread, I might add) this book last month. I stumbled upon the BBC movie adaptation of the novel, loved it and knew that the book is ALWAYS better than the movie and so ventured forth. The result was so much fun! That isn't to say that the style is easy. I think it might be a bit daunting if you haven't read anything more difficult than Harry Potter recently, but so worth the effort.
The story is primarily concerned with a young woman, Margaret Hale and her "growing up", or becoming wiser is probably more accurate. She is portrayed as a beautiful young woman (of course, because only in Jane Eyre is the heroine plain) with an independent mind and womanly feelings of love and caring towards those who, in her opinion, deserve it. She is more stable a character than either of her parents although they are good people. She has infinitely more depth than her London friends, and is interested and concerned for the welfare of those below her in station.
In the beginning of the novel, she moves from the lush southern England countryside with her middle-class parents of limited income to a manufacturing town in the north. A much different mindset exists among the working class and those who have gained wealth and influence due to their success in business than the strict politeness and rigid class structure of the south and of London. It is in this setting that Margaret meets John Thornton, a wealthy youngish manufacturer, and their consequent antagonistic relationship and eventual regard develops.
The romance part of the novel resembles a similar structure as Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, with out the overwhelming wealth and with actual obstacles to resolution besides pride and misjudgment. Mrs. Gaskell includes chapters from John's point-of-view which greatly enhances the romance as Margaret tends to be less introspective (or at least acknowledging of her feelings) than John.
The other major subject within the story is the plight and struggle of the working class and the "masters". The characterization of Nicholas and Bessy Higgins are particularly good and endearing. The reasons for the strike that ensues are laid out by both sides, and how at least in Thornton's mills the future communications between the workers and the boss improve the situation. Margaret's friendship with Bessie provides an important means for the author to convey the difficulties of the working class, as well as gives Margaret someone to confide in so we can get more insight into her thoughts as well.
There is a fair amount of sadness that vexes Margaret's stay in Milton (the fictional northern town) that really influences the reader to want Margaret and John to be together in order that they might be happy and have someone to lean upon in the struggles and sad times. Mrs. Gaskell leaves us questioning whether or not that will happen until the very last pages. Really, when I started the last chapter, I was stressed out thinking that "here we are at the last chapter, and HOW are these two going to get together???". Gratefully, if not rather briskly, the author gives in to the longing (theirs and the reader's) and grants a happy ending.
I really enjoyed this book. I love a good romance, but the historical aspects of the novel made it all the better and more enjoyable. I enjoy strong, independently minded heroes and heroines, and Margaret Hale and John Thornton were just that. Given the time period in which it was written, it could even be said to have a few "feminist" aspects. Margaret was not your typical empty-minded female whose only thoughts were of how to catch a husband. She wants to better the world within her reach and to encourage others to do the same. Oh, but lets not forget to mention that she is stunningly beautiful, strong-willed, morally upright, AND inherits a fortune. Oh that we all had such advantages. :)
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